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[csvousden]

Ok, I can't figure out how to launch from a carrier and I can't seem to find any tutuorials or training missions. 

Forgive my ignorance, but any guidance would be appreciated.

CV

[Type83Fighter]

What is the exact issue you are facing?

Unless you are using a catapult assisted launch, it is the same as any other aircraft:
-Chocks in
-Start engine
-Set flaps
-Full throttle
-Release chocks
-Sufficient airspeed
-Gently pull back on the stick at the end of the deck.

If using the catapult, taxi up slowly to the catapult and push the [Chocks In] key. Set full throttle and release the chocks and off you go.

[Vampire_pilot]

it depends what type of carrier (catapult, no catapult?)

carrier with catapult:  (my humble suggestion)

You always spawn in the parking position, wings folded, chocks in
Start the engine and activate autopilot.
Wait until the plane "hops" / "teleports"  to the launch position on the catapult and starts unfolding wings. (chocks are set)
Deactivate autopilot and set everything up: flaps, canopy open or closed, rev engine or jet up.
Once you have reached full power, release chocks and off you go with the catapult....

But beware:
it also depends on the aircraft you use!
Some want neutral stick, some need stick pulled back hard or just a little....
That you need to find out.

[David Prosser]

I just set auto-pilot, crank up the time compression, and close my eyes for a few seconds.

[cbradbury]

I just set auto-pilot, crank up the time compression, and close my eyes fro a few seconds.

Heh heh. I have no problem with takeoff - landing is a different matter. I always intend to 'practise to get better', but then bottle out and let the autopilot land for me...

[Vampire_pilot]

I just set auto-pilot, crank up the time compression, and close my eyes fro a few seconds.

This will not work with most catapult takeoffs. Usually, player crashes with Autopilot.

[David Prosser]

I always leave landings on a carrier up to the auto-pilot.

[csvousden]

Thank you for the advice.  I will try soon to learn from it!

[Wing Walker]

I have no problem with takeoff - landing is a different matter.

Its hard to get it right.

You did not say what kind of aircraft you would normally fly.

From the perspective of something like in WW2 like an F4F or F6F I would give these tips:

- gear down, full flaps, fuel mix 120%, prop pitch 100%, hook down
- keep watching the carrier as you come around to line up, pass it on left wing at about 3000Ft.
- adjust your speed so you can fly level at just above stall speed
- come in from way out, you need plenty of distance to practice keeping your speed just above stall
- watch your angle indicator, you want to be loosing altitude gently
- you want to make sure you do not drop below the deck height
- cut your throttle just before you reach the carrier to stall onto the deck
- if you are coming in too high at the last second, close your flaps for a faster/harder drop
- flare up to stall as you come up to the deck to stall your speed and drop on the deck

-----> ALSO, AT NEAR STALL SPEEDS, powering up suddenly to fly off the deck or to abort the landing with torque your plane and will easily cause you to spin out and crash.


You do need to practice it to get good.

[tomoose]

This might help but increase the altitude somewhat.  The deck of a WWII US Carrier is at approx 60ft.
https://381st.nfshost.com/Page20.html

[David Prosser]

Oh, don't get me started on carrier landings. I just let the auto-pilot do those. Anyhow, speaking of carrier landings. I've just done about 10% of the work required for instalment two of the USMC character in the CZ-38 series. It'll be Kwalein, and Iwo. No more than 20 missions. He was last seen flying a Buffalo near Darwin.

[tomoose]

Practice, practice, practice.   I am now fairly confident in my carrier landing (WW2) after completing two campaigns so far (F4F and F6F respectively) and currently at Iwo with F4Us.  It's rare now for me to screw up a landing although I have the occasional wave off.  I follow the guidance in the link in my previous post fairly closely and try to keep it as realistic as possible.  Whereas I prefer the sharper angle/turn on approach similar to the training guide my coop buddies prefer a very long straight astern approach using the raised seat feature of the F4U for better visibility.  It's a matter of personal preference (i.e. whichever method gets you onto the deck safely).

The one persistent annoying thing however, as I've mentioned in another thread, is not knowing when the carrier will start a turn.  By way of explanation:  Our campaign is generated by DCG and in this Pacific/carrier scenario, DCG (quite correctly IMHO) has the carrier doing a zig-zag course albeit approx 10-15km for each leg.  So we takeoff and do our mission etc and the fleet carries on its course and we return to the fleet.  We don't know however where exactly the fleet is along it's pre-programmed course so we could be on landing approach when the carrier reaches its turn waypoint which as you can imagine can cause issues.  If you are on approach then a go-around is always possible.  If you have just landed and taxiing forward (to get out of the way for your buddies) and the ship decides to turn, you are essentially screwed unless you are slow enough that you can get your chocks in.  If not, ....slide......BOOM!

We try to get around this by having one of us take up the LSO view position or a camera position that allows a view of the ships wake then advise the other flyers that the ship is turning.

Of course, an easy answer is to change the fleet waypoints so that it travels in a nice straight line but that IMHO takes away some of the realism/immersion.  I wondered before if there was some sort of mod etc which could warn pilots of a turn but I'm not sure what that could be.

I'll shut up now.